Machine tool



June 22, 1943.

` B. GRoB ET Al.

MAGHNE TOOL Filed Aug. 21, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lJune 22, 1943. Q GRQB ETAL 2,322,684

MACHINE TOOL Filed Aug. 21. 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 lNvEpJToRS www Patented June 22, 1943 ori-ICE MACHINE TOOL t Benjamin Grob and Theo-dore Grob, West Allis, Wis.

Application August 21, 1935, Serial No. 37,159

(Cl. lZ9-,76)

7 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in machine tools and relates more specifically kto the construction and mode of operation of filing machines or the like. i

Generally stated, an object of the invention is to provide an improved abrasion machine, and particularly a ling machine, which is simple in construction and eflicient in operation.

Another object is to provide an improved machine in which individual le or tool elements are mounted on an endless chain supportedl for continuous movement pulleys, and further supported and guided t0 prevent displacement in a straight line portion of the path which provides a working zone.

Another object is to provide a filing machine having an improved chain and guide means.

therefor', adapted for eiective co-operation while maintaining the to operate in relatively small openings in Work pieces.

Another object is to provide an improved ling machine particularly adapted for adjustment and operation to shape the inside of a laterally closed aperture in a work piece, and to operate in very small apertures, and into the corners of apertures having side surfaces angularly disposed, as for instance in. square apertures.

Another object is to provide an improved machine in which a guide means supports travelling file elements directly on the rear faces thereof and at laterally spaced points to prevent tipping, and at other points preventing lateral displacement of the travelling les.

Another object is to provide an improved machine having unitary guide means rigidly supported at points both above and below theworking Zone of a vertically travelling le chain.

Another object is to provide an improved machine having a guide for a travelling chain, together with. a. swivel work support or table, the guide extending through the table and supported to permit the table to swivel without disturbing the guide.

Another object is to provide an improved machine having a unitary guide device rigidly supported when in use, and supports therefor of a form co-operative to permit of convenient removal and accurate ment, as for instance to pass the guide through a hole in a Work piece, or for interchanging guides for use with tool carrying chains having different characteristics.

` Another object isto provide a machine having an improved form of tool carrying chain and on suitable sheaves or.

guide of minimum cross section,Y

and convenient replaceguide, together with other elements co-operating for convenient interchangeability ofchains or guides having different characteristics.

Another object is to provide an improved machine comprising readily releasable link connections, together with a chain support normally preventing the releasable links from releasing during operation of the machine. t

Another object is to provide an improved machine including a iile chain having releasable link connections andmeans retaining the connection of the links except at desired points during removal or replacement of the chain.

Another object is to provide an improved machine providing positive drive means for a le `or tool carrying chain, together with a chain having an improved co-operation for such positive drive, i

Another object is to provide an improved machine in which the adjacent ends of 'the separate files or tool portions overlap to provide a continuous cutting surface Within the Working zone.

Another object is to provide le or toolelements. in which the ends of adjacent elements are interlocked to prevent relativeside movenient when the band is in the straightportion of its path, but in a manner permitting .disengagement and `re-engagement of the interlocked portions as the chain or band passes through curved portions of its path, and particularly in combination with the other improvements mentioned for the purpose of restraining the tool band', or chain to a predetermined straight path Working ZOIle.v

Another object is to improve on the ling machine structures of our previous Patents Numbers 1,949,742, issued March 6, 1934; 1,958,477, issued May 1.5, 19311; and 2,192,788 issued May5,

Another object is to incorporate one or more of the improvements previously mentioned in a filing machine, and in a form particularly adapted for this type of machine and still another object is generally to improve the construction, arrangement, and convenience of operation of machines of the type mentioned above, and particularly of nling machines, c

The invention consists in the construction and combination as parts herein shown described and claimed, and in such modications of the structure shown and described as are equivalent to the structures of the claims., Y

The same reference characters have been used to designate the same parts throughout, and in the drawings: r Y v by to suitably tension about its Ypivot Figure 6 is an enlarged section of a portion of the rim of the lower pulley shown in Figs. 1

and 2. y

Figure '7 is a section through the same pulley taken approximately along the line 1-1 of Fig. 6, and showing the chain.

Figure 8 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the file chain, shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Figure 9 is a view `of the same chain portion viewed from the rear.

Figure 10 is a front View of the chain portion shown in Fig. 8.

Figure' 11 is a section through the chain taken approximately along the line II---II of Fig. 8 and enlarged, and showing also a portion of the guide shown in Fig. 4.

' Figure 12 is an enlarged section along the line I2-I2 of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, the machine includes frame members I and 2 carried on base members 3 and 4. A le chain generally denoted by the numeral 5 is supported on guide pulleys 6 and 1, the lower ed on a shaft 3 and driven from through a motor pulley 9a, a belt I0, a pulleyl I, a pulley IIa, a belt I2 and a pulley I3, which' is xed with the chain pulley 1, The pulleys Il and IIEL are supported n a stub shaft I4 carried by a member I adjustably mounted in an arm I6 which is pivoted on shaft 8. The member I5 may be adjusted along a slot I1 in the member lby'the means of an adjusting screw I8, wherethe belt I2, and the weight of the pulleys II and IIa swings the arm I6 downwardly about its pivot to suitably tension the belt I0. Y

The upper pulley 1 is rotatably mounted on a shaft I9 carried on arm 20` fixed on a shaft 2|, upon which is also fixed a lever 22 carrying a pivoted rod 23 which is continuously urged in adirection to move the pulley 1 upwardly by the means of a spring 24 reacting on a manuallyada motor rll justable nut member 25 Ythreadedly engaging the endof the rod 23. The structure just described 'normally serves'to tension the file chain 5, but

the tension can be relieved by adjustment ofthe nut 25, the spring 24 being sufficiently short that adjustment of the nut 25 permits the arm I9 and the pulley 1 to drop down. Y

A worktabler 26 is pivoted at 21 and adjustable by the means of a screw having right and left hand threaded portions' 28, 29 engaging nut portions v30 and 3l respectively pivoted with the table' 2s at 32 and with the 'frame lat 33, the nuts'3 and 3YI. vable to ,lockthe ,tablef in ,adjusted position bythe being split, and adjustmeans of screws34 and 35. Y Y

The file chain 5 includes a series of channel shaped links such as 36v which. are rigidly connected with vfile elements 31, the connecting means in this instance consist of rivets such as 3B having head 'portion 39 standing well belowrthe surface of the le in a bore 40,

pulley being rotatably support- :w

and a head porf- These grooves are of suitable width tion 4I countersunk into the rear face oi the flat portion of the link adjacent the file, the links 36 each providing a plurality of laterally spaced rearwardly projecting thin side portions such as 42-and 43 having side faces 44 and 45, and connected by a thin portion 45 having a fiat face 41 at right angles tothe side faces 44 and 45, and against which the les are rigidly retained by the rivets 38, the side portions 43 and 44 and connecting portion 46 providing a channel shaped member of relatively small cross section, as shown in Figs. 11 and 12.

intermediate channel shaped links such as 48 are of substantially the same cross section form and size as the links but relatively short. Intermediate inner links such as 55 are formed of a plurality of relatively thin members such as 5I and 52, together fitting within the inner channel of the channel links 35 and 48. With the eX- ception of one pivot, which will be later described, all of the links 59 are pivoted with the links 35 and by the means of pivot pins such as 53, Fig. l1. The pivots 53 have an enlarged intermediate portion such as 54,`where they fit 'relatively closely in the link members 5I and 52. The ends of the pivot pins 53 are reduced as at 55. The pivot holes in the side members 43 and 44 of the channel links are sufiiciently large for the enlarged pivot portions 54 to pass therethrough, but the pivot pins are normally forced by endwise chain tension suiiiciently off center to retain the shoulder formed by the reduced end portions against the inner faces of the side members. This is accomplished by the means of springs such as 55 which continuously urge ythe inner link members endwise of the chain, but the springs 56 are readily removed, and the chain may then be disassembled by aligning the enlarged intermediate portion 54 of the pivot pins with the pivot holes in the side members of the channel links, and pressing the pivots out sidewise.

The one exception to the pivot construction just described is the pivot pin 51 shown in Fig. 12

' which is constructed to be unhooked to release the chain from the pulleys E `and 1. The pivot pin 51 is formed with an enlarged central portion 5B retaining the pivot pin against endwise movement and the apertures for the pin 51 in one of the channel links 35 are of a lconstruction which is open rearwardly as.v shown at 59 whereby the pin 51 can be unhooked from the channel link, but only when the chain is slack. To slacken the chain to permit unhooking the pin 51, the nut 25 is loosened to drop .the pulley- 1. When unhooked, the ends ofthe chain can be passed through a hole in a work piece resting on the table 5, the chaincan then be reconnected, and adjustment of the nut 25 to provide suitable endwise tension on the chain will make the chain again operative for filing.

Each of the pulleys I5 and 1 are provided with peripheral grooves such as shown at 60, Fig. 3. and depthto admit the channel links 35 and 48,- and to guide the chain. In addition ,there is provided a channel shaped guide member 6I, Figs. 4 and 11 to prevent lateral movement of the file chain within the working zone, the inner surfaces vof the channel side walls being closely but slidably iitted to the outside of the'surfaces 44 and 45 of the channel links,` and the outer faces 52 and 63 of the channel side walls providing surfaces against Which the .F116 elements 31 directly slide, the lat mit the les 31 eral spacing of vthese surfaces providing stability of the file elements against tipping.

The guide members 6l are rigidly fixed with a hooked mem-ber 64 which engages a rod 65 xed in the frame 'to prevent downward movement and is of suitable width to be restrained against lateral movement by enlarged portions 66 land 61 on the rod. `The lower end 6 la of the guide member l is restrained against rearward movement by resting against a rod 68 xed in the frame and is likewise restrained against side movement 'by-enlarged rod portions such as `69 and 69a. 'The rods -65 and 68 provide vsupports xing the -position -of the guide 6l, and respectively above `and below the working surface `of the table, and the guide 6i together with the supports provides effective guarding means preventing contact of the operator with the files or chain, only the workingsurface of the les within the working zone vbeing exposed.

The chain and guide construction described are of a form particularly adapted to be reduced to a very small Aeffective cross section, whereby the chain and guide can be inserted to operate in relatively small openings in a work piece, and theguide and its supporting members are of a `form particularly adapted for convenient insertion yand removal, while rigidly supporting the file chain against lateral movement when the guide is in place.

Another guide means for the le chain is provided bythe means of a roller 10 pivoted on an arm 1l carried by afscrew 12 there being a slotted opening for the screw as at 13, the screw serving as `a clamp means. By this construction `roller 110 maybe vertically and laterally adjusted to the 4best position to prevent movement of the le chain to the left of the working zone in Fig. 1, that is to say, in the direction which would perto move away from the guide surfaces B2 and 63 on the guide 6|.

In addition to the means previously described for guiding the file chain, means are provided which additionally insure that the adjacent ends of the file elements 31 shall not be displaced vsidewise relative to `one another during passage through the working zone adjacent to the table 26, the construction for this purpose being `as follows: Each vof the adjacent iile elements ends are provided with interlocking slot and tongue elements such as 14 and 15, Fig. 10. Slot elements 14'are of accurate lateral width, and the tongueV elements 15, at the outer portion 16 'thereof are accurately but slidably fitted in the slots. An inner portion 11 of the tongue 15 is of reduced width, adapted to guide the tongue into the slot asmthefile portions move out of the curved path portion to enter into the straight line portion of the path which forms the working zone.

The interlocking just described is of particular importance where the files are intended to cut an accurate form or slot. If the half round les shown in Figs. 11, 12, for instance, should be displaced laterally relative to one another even in slight degree it is obvious that the form cut by the les will not be the size or form intended.

The interlocking connection just described provides an overlap of the le sections which prevents an irregular strain being occasioned on the le chain or work piece such as might otherwise be caused by endwise separation between the le elements, and prevents thin work pieces engaging between the le ends, which might break the carrier band or les. In addition, and further to provide against irregularities in the action of rearward portion of 3 the le elements, the ends of the iile elements may be cut at an angle, as at 18, Fig. 10, the `angle on the end of the one le element being `complementary to ythe angle on vthe end of the inext adjacent file element. Also the interlock prevents relative side movement of the file ends which might cause the ends to catch on the work piece when working in corners.

The lower guide lpulley 6 has associated therewith `means engaging links of the chain 5 for positively driving the chain. The positive driving means includes plungers such as 19 slidably guided, but prevented from rotation, in bores 80. The inner ends of the plungers are threaded and provided with stop nuts 8|, locked in position by threaded members 82 which are slotted or apertured at `83 to receive a spring 84 which is held in position by screws 85, and of a form tending to press the plungers 19 outwardly to engage the chain at the trailing ends of the inner links as more particularly shown at 86. The stop nuts 8l prevent the plungers `1li from moving outwardly to a point whichrwould disturb the action of the springs 55, and the spring 84 continuously urges the plungers outwardly to the full extent permitted by the stop nuts, yet will permit the plunger 19 to move inwardly, against the resistance of the spring 84, in the event that the plunger, for any reason,` does not engage the chain 5 at a point where space is provided for such engagement. The ends 81 of each of the plungers is suiiiciently narrow to enter between the side members 42 and 43 of the channel links.

each of the plunger ends, the side opposite the driving face, is formed at an angle, as at 88, suilicient to perto be pulled forward manually, in which case the angular surface 88 forces the plungers inwardly as the chain moves past the plungers. This construction also prevents the chain from being driven in the wrong direction, as might occur, for instance, if the motor 9 should the plungers 19 the ends of the links 50 are subwhile still permitting of proper action of the positive drive plungers. If no space were provided `as at 89, the drive would be effective when the chain is new, but it might later occur that a plunger which was entering the chain as the pulley G revolves would strike in a manner preventing engagement of the plunger. In such case as the plunger which was then driving the chain passed out of chain engagement, the chain when 50 or substantially twice the distance between chain pivots. The slight space at 89 amply provides for chain wear and stretch without permitting the undesired action just described to occur, and limits the amount of chain slip which can occur to the negligible distance corresponding to the space 89.

What is claimed is:

1. In a filling machine, the combination of a frame, a plurality of vertically spaced pulleys supported from said frame, a horizontal table supported from said frame at a level between vsaid pulleys and providing a chain opening, a chain having relatively pivoted links and supported from said pulleys for movement of a chain 'portion downwardly through said opening in a straight line path, le elements fixed with said chain to provide a substantially vertically continuous filing surface within said path, power `means for rotation of one of said pulleys, a plurality of chain driving elements associated with the last mentioned pulley and .each slidable to positions respectively engaging and disengaged from said chain, said driving elementsv being adapted to engage the ends of some of said links when in engaged position and the spacing of said links relative to the spacing of said elements being such as to avoid driving contact oi more than one of said driving elements at a time.

2. In a filling machine the combination of a frame, a plurality of vertically spaced pulleys supported from said frame, a horizontal table supported from said frame at a level between said pulleys and providing a chain opening, a chain having relatively pivoted links and supported from said pulleys for movement of a chain portion downwardly straight line path, le elements fixed with said chain to provide a substantially vertically continuous filing surface within said path, power means for rotation of one of said pulleys, a plurality of chain driving elements circumferentially spaced on the last mentioned pulley and each engageable with the ends of some of said links during pulley rotation, the spacing of said driving elements at said pulley circumference being slightly greater than the spacing of said links, whereby to effect engagement of said driving elements with said links only one at a time.

3. In a filing machine they combination of a frame, a plurality of vertically spaced. pulleys supported from said frame, a horizontal table supported from said frame at a level between said pulleys and providing a chain opening, a chain having relatively pivoted links and supported from said pulleys for movement of a chain portion downwardly through said opening in a straight line path, file elements xed with said chain to provide a substantially vertically continuous iiling surface within said path, power means for rotation of one of said pulleys, a plurality of chain driving elements circumferentially spaced on the last mentioned pulley and each .engageable with the ends of some of said links during pulley rotation, the spacing of said driving elements at said pulley circumference being slightly greater than the spacing of said links, whereby to effect engagement of said driving elements with said links only one at a time, and means continuously through said opening in a yieldably urging one of said pulleys in a direction to establish longitudinal tension on said chain.

4. In a filing machine the combination of a frame, a work support carried by said frame and having a substantially horizontal work supporting surface providing a vertical opening, movable means comprising a series of connected file members, means supporting said movable means for movement of said file members one after another downwardly through said opening in a path including a straight line portion adjacent to and above said work surface, guide means restraining said file elements against lateral displacement in said path portion, a plurality of equally spaced movable driving elements, a plurality of driven elements carried by said movable means and spaced thereon in the direction of movement thereof and at a spacing less than the spacing of said driving elements, and means supporting said driving elements in driving engagement with said driven elements during movement thereof through a predetermined path.

5. In a filing machine the combination of a frame, vertically spaced upper and lower pulleys thereon, a work support on said frame between said pulleys, a flexible endless carrier trained about said pulleys and having a portion extending through said work support, a longitudinal succession of les individually attached to said carrier for travel with the latter downwardly through said work support, and mutually interlocking means at the adjacent ends of successive flles operable to retain the latter against relative lateral displacement, said interlocking means having guiding surfaces extending substantially parallel to the longitudinal axes of said files.

6. An endless le train for ling machines, said train comprising a flexible endless carrier, a longitudinal succession of files individually attached to said carrier, mutually interlocking means at the adjacent ends of successive les for retaining the latter against relative later vdisplacement, said interlocking means having guiding surfaces .extending substantially parallel to the axes of said files.

'7.V An endless file train for filing machines, said train comprising a flexible endless carrier, a longitudinal succession of les individually attached to said carrier, mutually interlocking means at the adjacent ends of successive les for retaining the latter against relative later displacement, said interlocking means having guiding surfaces extending substantiallyvparallel to the axes of said files and inclined relative to the faces of said files to facilitate engagement and disengagement of said interlocking means.

Y BENJAMIN GROB.

THEODORE GROB. 

